Schools' arts and sports bonanza

The recipients, Audley Infant and Junior schools and Audley Nursery, St Michael with St John's Primary and Wensley Fold Primary, all in Blackburn, have been jointly awarded the money to build sports and arts facilities for their own and community use.

The funding will come from a £130million joint government and lottery programme called Space for Sports and Arts.

A total of 300 schools in 65 local education authorities across the country are set to benefit.

A spokesman for Blackburn with Darwen Council said the Space for Sports and Arts scheme targeted the local education authority because it had a proven track record in using funding of this type to benefit schools and local communities.

The four schools were selected as being able and willing to meet the Space for Sports and Arts criteria to build a modern multi-purpose facility.

Coun Mahfooz Hussain, executive member for education and lifelong learning, said: "We are delighted to receive such an important investment.

"The developments will be of great benefit to the schools and provide the opportunity for the local community to participate in many educational and leisure activities."

Peter Morgan, director for education and lifelong learning, added: "This is an important development which will provide excellent facilities to support learning, in the broadest sense, within the community "

Kay Cant , head teacher at St Michael with St John's, added: "We're utterly delighted. We have very little space at the school and with a new, large building we will be able to stage many more events."

She said these would include music and drama which would benefit the local community.

Gaynor Stubbs, head teacher at Wensley Fold, said: "We are very excited. It will be a wonderful resource for the school and the community."

The Space for Sports and Arts award will fund three sports halls, ancillary rooms, music practice rooms and changing facilities. They are set for completion early next year.